30 Things I’ve Done Living With An Ostomy

Part of what makes some people nervous about having an ostomy is the worry that their life will be over and they’ll never get to do “normal” things again. I’d like to settle your nerves. I’ve lived a very normal life with an ileostomy since 2013. In fact, it’s been an amazing life filled with fun new experiences.

Here’s an incomplete list of things I did in my first year living with an ostomy. It’s incomplete because 365 days is a lot of time and I’ve done so many things that I simply can’t remember all of them!

1. Numerous 1-7 mile hikes

Hiking in beautiful Northern California!

2. Kayaking

3. Met a number of new people & chose who got to know about my ostomy and who didn’t (those who I didn’t tell, never knew!)

4. Met a new guy and we started dating

5. Enjoyed intimacy

6. Went on vacation out of the country (first time to Mexico!)

7. Flew multiple times on airplanes (this includes going through security and customs)

30. Worked at a professional football game and a major golf tournament

30. Climbed a tree

Balance is the key to life :)

I think this is a pretty good display of a “normal” life. And sure, there are activities I didn’t do, like snow-boarding, skiing, roller skating, crocheting, etc. But, the thing is, those aren’t really things I would have done without an ostomy either. Not only that, but just because I haven’t done those things doesn’t mean I haven’t met, spoken with, or read about ostomates who have done those things.

So, what have I learned in three years living with an ostomy? An ostomy only limits your life as much as you let it. If you live in fear of trying new things, you won’t ever know if you’re capable of them. Having ostomy surgery can be scary at first, but a beautiful life can exist beyond your surgery if you let it.